Charles peeley



c. PERLEY.

- Breech-Loading Fire-Arm. No, 37,764, V PatentedFeb. 24, 1863.

EUNrTED STATES PATENT @rrica.

CHARLES manner, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADlNG FlRE-ARlVlS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,76 L dated February 24, 1863.

To all wit/0712 it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES PERLEY, of the city and State of New York, have invented, made, and applied to use a certain new and useful Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire- Arms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of my said invent-ion, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, whereina Figure .l is a section of said arm closed for firing. and Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same as held in position for loading.

Similar marks of reference denote the same parts.

My said invention consists in a swinging breech, in combination with a sliding tapering sleeve that retains the forward end of the breech in contact with the rear end of the barrel, the said sleeve being of a tapering form and so fitted that it is easily turned in opening or closing the breech, and is always tight, because the wear always tends to make the parts fit more accurately together.

In the drawings, a represents the straps or projecting bars that connect the stock to the gun. b is the breech supporter extending from the stock to the barrel 0, which barrel is screwed into the forward end of this supporter or otherwise firmly connected in any usual manner. Thisbreech-supporterisformedwith a mortise through it containing the breech or chamber d, and e is a pin or screw through said chamber and supporter, as shown, and on which pin the said breech (2 will swing to the position shown in Fig. 2. The forward face of this chamber (1 is diagonal or at an angle of about sixty degrees with the sides, and the angle of the parts at the rear end of the barrel corresponds therewith. The chamber d should fit the slot in the breeclrsupporter b freely, so that it cannot become stuck by the expansion or by dirt. The forward end around the bore of the chamber fits closely to the rear of the barrel.

f is a nipple or cone on thebreech d, for the reception of a cap or ordinary detonating device, to be exploded by a hammer for firing the charge, as usual.

{1 is my tapering sleeve, that is applied at the base of the barrel around the parts I) and d, which are made tapering at the forward end to correspond with the taper of the inside of the sleeve.

To open the breech for loading, the sleeve 9 is seized with one band (see Fig. 2) and the piece slightly turned with the other. The sleeve is instantly loosened and slid along until arrested by the lug h. The breech is easily swung open, as in Fig. 2, by pressing 011 the side of said breech at or near the cone f. The charge of powder, with balls, shot, or any other missile, is then introduced into the chamber (in d) in any usual manner. The breech is then shut down to place, and the tapering sleeve slid back to its place, and the arm is ready for use. In the act of sliding back the sleeve 9 the forward face of the breech (Z is firmly pressed to the rear end of the barrel 0 by the action of the sleeve against the side of the breech, forcing it into the mortise, (in b.) Should it become necessary to carry the breech cl slightly forward to compensate any wear or to make the surfaces at 1 l and 2 2 set closer together, I effect the same by means of the screw Z, passing through on the line of the barrel at the back part of the slot in h,- and in order to relieve the pin 0 of as much strain as possible and properly guide and sustain the back end of the chamber (Z if the pin 0 were lost or not used, I employ the hemispherical or conical plug m, entering a corresponding cavity in the screw Z. A projection at the lower, side of the lug carrying the cone prevents the chamber (1 swinging too far. Under ordinary circumstances the taper of the sleeve 9 will cause it to hold tightly upon the tapering portions of Z) and (I, so as not to slip forward in use. However, to secure this more firmly, especially for long marches, I provide a projecting lug, t, with an overhanging lip, taking behind an inclined lug, 7t, on the breech d,- or it might be attached on the breech-holder b, so that the action of turning the sleeve in forcingthe parts together shall carry this lip behind the said lug, the incline of which will tend to draw the sleeve still more firmly upon the taper of b and d. This inclined lug should be upon a plate with a slot and retained by a screw, 3, as seen in Fig. 1, so that the same can be adjusted in case of wear.

My invention is adapted to muskets, rifles, pistols, and other fire-arms, and is very strong, durable, and easily made, fitted, and used, and

the escape of gases .atlthe breech from the '8X justing-screw l, hemispherical 0r conical proplosion can be effectually prevented. jeetion m, and the inclined lug 70, for the pur- What I claim, and desire to secure by Let- I poses and as set forth.

ters Patent, is' 1 In witness whereof Ihave hereunto set my 1. The swinging breech 0r chamber d, in comsignature this 17th day of July, 1862.

bination with the tapering sleeve 9 and breech- CHARLES PERLEY.

supporter b, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

Witnesses:

LEMUEL WV. SERRELL,

2. In combination with the fo-regeing,.the ad- 1 THUS. -GEO. HAROLD. 

